Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2014
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his expectations in regard to the development of the wind energy sector; the extent to which national grid requirements are likely to be met through wind energy including potential backup in respect of both targets for the internal or export markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47670/14]
View answerThe overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Whilst acknowledging that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time to come, progress is being made towards increasing the share of renewable energy in our energy mix. Ireland has a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020, to be achieved through 40% renewables in electricity, 12% in heat and 10% in transport.
To date, wind energy has been the most cost effective renewable technology in the Irish electricity market, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target, with an installed capacity of 2,200MW. It is estimated that an installed capacity of between 3,500 and 4,000 MW is required to achieve 40% renewable electricity by 2020.
Over 3,000 MW of new generation, mainly wind, has accepted grid connection offers. Comprehensive engagement with communities, and communicating the benefits for citizens of realising the potential of our indigenous renewable electricity resources, will be essential in the rollout of renewable energy and grid infrastructure.
As regards renewable energy export, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation with the UK Government in January 2013, a joint programme of work was undertaken to consider how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of both Ireland and the UK.
Economic analysis clearly indicates that, under agreed policy and regulatory conditions, renewable energy trading could deliver significant economic benefits to Ireland and the UK, as well as being attractive to developers. However, given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and some key decisions that the UK are not yet in a position to take, delivery by 2020 of renewable energy trading will not be possible. In the context of a European Internal Energy Market, it would appear that greater trade in energy between Britain and Ireland is likely in the post-2020 scenario.
